Crimeans outraged at not being able to vote at Eurovision

Crimeans want to be part of Ukraine, including culturally.

SIMFEROPOL/AQMESCIT (QHA) -

Residents of occupied Crimea are outraged at being denied the right to vote at the national selection for Eurovision 2016. They have asked STB and UA: First TV channels: “Is Crimea part of Ukraine?” They also published the question on their Facebook community page called ‘Let’s support Jamala at Eurovision’.

“How come Crimeans cannot vote at the national selection for Eurovision 2016? So who does Crimea belong to anyway? Does having Russia’s country code (which was imposed on them) disqualify Crimeans from voting? What do the organizers of the national selection think they are doing denying Crimeans a small thing like this? Are they cutting Crimea off Ukraine? Are they saying we should not be voting - period? We want to be part of our country, including culturally! Answer the question, STB and UA: First : “Is Crimea part of Ukraine?”, reads a message posted on the community’s page.

It was reported earlier that STB and UA: First TV channels will be broadcasting live the first semi final of the national selection for Eurovision 2016 at 7 p.m. on February 6. Jamala, a Crimean Tatar singer, will participate in the contest by singing a song called ‘1944’, which is dedicated to the deportation of Crimean Tatars.